Snuff Case Target Was Big Brother Volunteer

August 24, 1989|By The Washington Post

WASHINGTON — One of two Virginia men arrested in an alleged conspiracy to kidnap a child, then molest and kill him for a pornographic "snuff" film, was a volunteer companion to a preteen in the Richmond Big Brothers program, according to the director of the agency.

Dean Ashley Lambey, 34, of Richmond, had been screened by the Big Brothers program and matched with a boy for the last 2 1/2 years, said Michael Raisig, executive director of Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Metro Richmond.

Raisig said his agency was notified by the FBI two months ago that Lambey was a subject of the kidnapping investigation; the two organizations successfully prevented any contact between Lambey and the boy from that time until Lambey's arrest Aug. 14, Raisig said in an interview Tuesday.

"Since we were initially informed, we took great pains to protect our little brother," he said. "That was our primary concern."

Raisig added that both he and the FBI found no evidence that "anything inappropriate happened" during the time that Lambey and the boy were matched by the program. The boy and his family have been notified of Lambey's arrest, Raisig said.

Daniel T. Depew, 28, of Alexandria, was the second man arrested as a result of a six-month FBI investigation by more than 100 agents in San Francisco, Richmond and Washington. There was no indication that Depew was a member of any Big Brothers program.

Lambey and Depew, who authorities said made extensive use of computer "bulletin board" services to advertise their sexual preferences, are being held without bail on a charge of conspiracy to kidnap. The inquiry began when Lambey responded to a computer ad placed by an undercover agent in California that sought individuals interested in sex with children, according to an affidavit by a Richmond FBI agent that was unsealed Monday.

Big Brothers-Big Sisters is a nationwide organization that helps children 6 to 17 years old who come from single-parent families, representatives said. Its goal is not to provide a surrogate parent, but to match volunteer companions with children who could benefit from an older friend and role model, according to the organization.